The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-19
FROM The STATE CAPITAL.

Work on the new Federal buildinge at
Montpelier was begun this week under
the supervision of Editor Hiram Atkins
of the Argus and Patriot, who draws Sc
per diem from the government as superin-
tendcnt of construction. The bill appro-
priating 1925, 900 for anew post-ohice and
court house at the State capital was pass
ed by Congress year ago through the
efforts of Senator Morrill, and Congress
man Grout the original bill having been
introduced by Mr. Morrill,. There are
but three other Federal buildings in Yer
mont-at Burlington, Rutland and Wind,
sor. There was considerable difficulty in
selecting site for the new building at
Montpelier, but authorities finally decided
to purchase the lots on State street just
west Of the Washington county court
house, which were occupied by the YER
mont Waterman establishment and pri-
vate residence. The land cost some $l5,-
600, and has frontage on State street of
SO feet and depth of $50 feet. A party
of civil engineers from Norwich Univer-
sity, under Capt. John c. Wait, compile
ted the work of lining the site of the gov
eminent building yesterday, and eXcava-
tons were begun with good force of
men early this week. The material for
the cdifice is to be granite and the trim
mings are to be hewn granite. The first
second floor will will be finished off for a
court room and will also contain offices
| for the United States District Attorney,
the Marshal, the Judge and Clerk of the
dourt and the Internal Revenue Collector.
The building will have frontage on
State street of 80 feet (eXclusive of cen
tral scmi-circular tower which projects
l6 feet from the line of the main struc-
ture) and depth of 80 feet. When COM
| pleted it will be one of the handsOmest
government buildings in New England.
Postmaster George w. Wing stills holds
the fort despite the efforts of Atkins & Co.
to remove him, to make room for ''re-
form" Democrat. This is the only Pres.
idential post-olce in Vermont now held
by Republican,, and the term of the pres.
ent incumbent does not eXpirs uutil 1888
Mr.. Wing has filed the office of postmas
ter so admirably, and with so little "otfen
sive partisanship," that no ''cause" for re-
mcval can be laid at his door. His occu
pancy of this office has caused much wall
ing and crashing of teeth" among the un,
terrified at the capital, but as the loca
Democrats are unable to agree on mar
to be his successor, the chances seem tt
be in favor of Mr.. Wing retaining thu
office awhile longer. Frank II. Bascom
who was at one time the leading candidate
for the place and had the influence of At
kins & Co., has gone back into the drus
business, which he gave up to push hi
application for the Montpelier post-office
1t is an open secret that Atkins & Co
are now opposed to Bascom's candidac,
for postmaster The period between tn
time of the expiration of Mr.. Wing
term of office aud the advent of Repub
lican Administration in 1889 is so shor
that it will be difficult to find Democra
{ willing to take the office.
Aside from the Montpelier post-oflic
there is but one important Federal ofllc
in the State held by Republican. Thi
is the Office of District Attorney, o
which Col. Kitredge Haskins of Brattle
boro is the incumbent. The time for Co
+ Haskins' removal has been fixed sewers
+ times by the Cleveland contingent in Vel
d, mont, but the Colonel is still pursuin
the even tenor of his way and prosecutin
violators of the law.